Ecorana environmental at the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society field station: December 2013

Ecorana Environmental ltd., Blog at it's partner field staiton at the T.R.E.E.S

We are Ecorana Environmental, an eco-travel and environmental education company that specializes in creating and planning applied learning holidays for students, researchers, and ecotourists alike. Our team consists of travel and outreach specialists as well as research biologists and teachers who specialize in environmental education and conservation. We are well-versed in providing comfortable, safe, and exciting learning and travel opportunities to a range of clientele interested in environmentally and culturally conscious travel.Ecorana is poised to offer travel and education abroad opportunities in the diverse tropical country of Belize. Ecorana employs biologists who are well-trained in tropical ecology, herpetology, and ornithology, and as such, studies in tropical biology are the primary focus of our educational holidays. However, our team’s diverse interests and expertise allow us to plan all types of holidays ranging from wildlife ecotours to yoga retreats to West African drumming courses to ecological field technique courses. Wherever your interests lie, you can be guaranteed that Ecorana will be right there with you.Ecorana maintains values of environmental and cultural conservation and stewardship, hands-on education, and inclusive learning, and seeks to instill those values in all visitors to Belize. We work with many field stations and educational centers, scientists, educators, tour companies, tour guides, eco-lodges, and parks, both on the mainland and on the islands of Belize, to make sure you go exactly where you want to go and see exactly what you want to see and more!

One of our main partners is the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S) and their field station in Belize. The objectives of this environmental education center are to host various cultural and environmental based student courses, workshops and event hosting in the heart of the beautiful Maya Mountains of Belize. We plan on providing our services to international students as well as providing opportunities for Belizean students.

For more information see our website at www.ecorana.ca, or send us and email at info@ecorana.ca or to go directly to the T.R.E.E.S website www.treesociety.org

Monday, December 2, 2013

Waterfall Rappel

There is a beautiful waterfall behind the T.R.E.E.S property in the Sibun Forest Reserve! We have hiked a couple of times to it but never more. This is where we found the Mayan mountain frog with the Save the Frogs groups (see old post). As T.R.E.E.S has the access to the base of the waterfall trail on its premises guiding operations need to ask permission to use the trail. Last week we were approached with Maya Guide Adventures to work together with other guiding groups to fix the trail that goes up to the waterfall. We are forming a small outfit that will provide assistance to go up to the waterfall trail and eventually into the Sibun Forest Reserve.

As they were going up to the waterfall in a few days with a group from the U.S it was agreed that we would go with them and repel the 400 ft. beast. So, last week we got all of gear ready and went up with them. It was a windy day and it had rained all night, so the waterfall was raging! We went up with Maya Guide Adventures, which I would highly recommend to anyone coming to the T.R.E.E.S station. Very professional and super safe!

The hike up to the waterfall is about an 1.5-2 hours steep hike in beautiful jungle setting. We then got our harnesses on and prepared to repel the famous waterfall.

I went first, then followed by Vanessa and Will. Both Vanessa and Will (our guide) never really rapelled but everyone had a great time. 300 ft. straight down rapel with cold mountain water rushing at you, it was awesome!

We can't wait to go up there again!